What a T&P Valve Is and How to Fix It

On the side or top of your water heater tank is a valve connected to a metal or plastic discharge tube pointing downward. The valve is called a T&P valve, or TPR valve, for "temperature and pressure relief."

If all goes well, a TPR valve never gets used intentionally except during testing. But in the event of an emergency or malfunction, this valve is of critical importance. It can potentially prevent your water heater from exploding. Understanding how a T&P valve works will help you keep your water heater in tip-top shape and prevent possible damage to your home.

How a T&P Relief Valve Works

Mandated by all plumbing codes, the T&P valve relieves excess temperature and pressure in a water heater if either reaches a critical point. A water heater is a closed system, and thermal expansion is an inescapable fact of both normal and abnormal water heater functioning.

In a standard water heater, the water is heated by a gas burner or electric elements. As the water reaches temperatures between 120 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, both the water and the water heater's metal tank expand.

Some expansion is normal, but too much expansion is unsafe. When the temperature reaches 210 degrees or the pressure reaches 150 psi (pounds per square inch), a properly functioning T&P valve opens and expels hot water and steam through the discharge tube.

What a T&P Relief Valve Doesn't Do

As helpful as it is, the T&P valve might be thought of as having more uses than it actually does. Here are some things that the T&P valve does not do.

• Not a clean-out valve: Cleaning out the water heater to discharge built-up rust and debris is done from the drain valve at the bottom of the heater. Not only should the T&P valve not be used for flushing out the water heater, it cannot discharge debris because it is located at the top of the tank, not at the bottom. Debris settles at the bottom.
• System open/shut valve: Shut off (or turn back on) water to the entire house at the main water shut-off valve, usually located on the perimeter of the house.
• Access to emergency drinking water: Water heaters are a good source of fresh water in the event of a disaster that shuts down the municipal fresh water supply. The T&P valve is not the way to access this water. Instead, access fresh water from the drain valve at the bottom. That said, you may still be able to access some fresh water from the T&P valve for as long as the system is pressurized.

How a T&P Valve Is Installed

When you purchase a water heater, the T&P valve generally comes pre-installed. A threaded inlet is welded onto the side of the tank. This inlet cannot be removed or replaced. The T&P valve is screwed clockwise onto that inlet.

While those items are already in place, the discharge tube running downward along the side of the tank is not pre-installed.

How to Install or Replace a T&P Valve Discharge Tube

Installing or replacing the discharge tube is easy, fast, and there is no need to power down or drain the water heater. Most homeowners can do this by themselves.

1. Add Tape

   To install the discharge tube, run a strip of Teflon tape clockwise around the threaded end of the PVC discharge tube.

2. Manually Screw on the Tube

   Screw the discharge tube onto the T&P valve, first by hand.

3. Tighten With a Wrench

   Follow by tightening the tube fully with a wrench. Be careful not to strip or break off the T&P valve or discharge tube by tightening it too much.

4. Check the Discharge Tube

   The discharge tube should point straight downward, terminating a few inches above the floor.

How to Test a T&P Valve

Water heater manufacturers recommend that you regularly check the T&P valve. Wear closed-toe shoes to avoid scalding. Except for a bucket, no tools are required.

1. Find T&P Valve

   Before you begin, make sure you know where the shut-off valve of your tank is. It's usually located on the cold water feed, on the right side inlet on top of the tank.

2. Place Bucket

   Place a bucket below the discharge tube.

3. Check Attachment

   Make sure that the discharge tube is firmly attached. If it is loose, tighten it by screwing clockwise.

4. Discharge Water

   Briefly pull back on the T&P valve's metal lever to cause a small amount of water (about 1/4 cup) to discharge into the bucket.

5. Release Lever

   Release the lever and let it snap back to its original position. If the lever does not snap back into place, the valve is faulty and must be replaced.

How to Fix a T&P Valve

In most cases, there are two problems you might have to address with the T&P valve: a valve that leaks by constantly dripping or a valve that sticks and doesn't open and close properly.

Fix a Leaky T&P Valve

When a T&P valve is leaking, it may be due to the valve not being properly seated in the threaded opening of the tank. This is especially likely if the leaking occurs immediately after an old valve is replaced. This can be remedied by shutting off the water heater and letting it cool down completely, then removing and rethreading the valve into the tank's opening.

If the valve is leaking due to dirt or sediment trapped in the relief port, pull the metal spring lever back again and discharge water into the bucket. Once the lever snaps back again, if the water fails to stop completely, shut turn the gas valve to the off position and shut the water off to replace the valve.

Fix a Sticky T&P Valve

T&P valves can also become stuck either in a downward (closed) or fully extended (open) position. Either condition is a potentially serious problem.

When stuck downward, the valve cannot provide relief if the system reaches maximum pressure. As a result, the water heater tank might rupture. When stuck in a fully extended position, the T&P valve will continually leak water down through the discharge tube, potentially flooding the home.

The stickiness of the valve can sometimes be remedied by simply opening and closing the lever several times. Jiggle the T&P valve by gently pulling the lever towards you. Much like jiggling a toilet handle, this action may be enough to unstick the valve. If this does not fix the problem, replace the valve.

Safety Considerations

In most cases, the T&P valve will last as long as the water heater itself, and fixes are easy if you perform annual testing to catch problems early.

However, some caution is necessary whenever working with a water heater, because the T&P valve can become damaged if the water heater has exceeded maximum pressure or temperature levels. If you suspect a pressure-related problem with your water heater tank, hire a licensed plumber to have the water heater inspected.